Is prasugrel a blood thinner?
Yes. Prasugrel (brand name Effient) is an antiplatelet medicine that helps prevent blood clots by stopping platelets from sticking together. It is used in people with certain types of heart disease who are at risk of clotting. [1]
How does prasugrel work?
Prasugrel blocks the P2Y12 ADP receptor on platelets. This reduces platelet activation and aggregation, which lowers the chance of forming artery-clogging clots. [1]
What is prasugrel used for?
Prasugrel is used to reduce the risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events in people with acute coronary syndrome (for example, heart attack or unstable angina) who typically undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (stent placement). [1]
Is it the same as warfarin or “rat poison” blood thinners?
No. Prasugrel is not an anticoagulant like warfarin. It is an antiplatelet drug, which works differently and is used for different clinical situations. [1]
What side effects do patients ask about (especially bleeding)?
The main risk with prasugrel is bleeding. People taking it need to watch for signs of excessive bleeding and tell their clinician if bleeding occurs. [1]
Who should be careful with prasugrel?
Clinicians often pay extra attention in people with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), since prasugrel may not be appropriate for some patients. Your prescriber determines suitability based on your medical history. [1]
Drug patent and brand info
DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent and exclusivity information for medicines like prasugrel (Effient). [2]
Sources
[1] https://www.drugs.com/effient.html
[2] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/